Emergency training for area firefighters, EMS personnel

Firefighters, EMS personnel participate in workshop

Published: June 16, 2014 4:00AM

WOOSTER -- Firefighters David Devore and firefighter/EMT Chris Parker of the Town & Country Fire District, firefighter Andy Malinish of the Chippewa Fire Department and firefighter/EMT basic Alan Griffiths of the Wooster Township Fire Department joined more than 30 emergency responders from across the state to participate in the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program's Responding to Oilfield Emergencies Training Workshop.

OOGEEP's Oilfield Emergency Response Training program began in 2001. The workshop is fully funded by Ohio's natural gas and crude oil producers and is offered at no cost to Ohio firefighters.

In the past 13 years, more than 1,100 firefighters from across Ohio and seven other states have attended, with Ohio's oil and natural gas industry voluntarily funding more than $2 million to provide the program. Upon completion of the two-day training, each participant receives a certificate of attendance; documentation for up to 12 CEU contact credit hours, with optional college credit, which is available through Hocking College.

The program is endorsed by the Ohio Fire Chief's Association, Ohio Society of Fire Service Instructors and the Ohio Fire and Emergency Services Foundation, and has received numerous state and national awards while providing the model for other energy-producing state training programs.

"Wayne County and the adjacent counties have a long history with the oil and gas industry. The fire service needs to understand the industry, and how to respond to incidents related to the industry," said Griffiths.

In the rare event of an oilfield emergency, the program is devised to provide detailed background information and practical guidelines to assist responders in communicating at the emergency site, evaluating the emergency and responding to both drilling and production emergencies. The hands-on training portion includes "live burns" using both crude oil and natural gas props.